Chapter 602 - 329: Demand for Divine Blood, Faceless Ghost Again

More importantly, Su Chen still had a way to obtain Divine Blood from outside the Sect.

’I guess I’ll have to turn to my old friends after all.’

Su Chen had originally planned to squeeze all the Divine Blood he needed for the Melting Holy Profession from the Faceless Ghost.

But then the Ancient King had spoken up and made things convenient for him. He had thought he wouldn’t have to deal with this guy, but now, after going in circles, he still couldn’t avoid it.

It was just that he didn’t want to, not that he couldn’t. After being entangled with Black Tuo for so long, he had plenty of experience.

He glanced at the time. It was still a few hours until the Dark Sun. He rested for a moment before returning to the training room, only heading to the Nether Tower when the time was almost right.

He timed his entry perfectly, slipping back into the Nether Realm just as he estimated the Flame Fire was about to reignite.

He expertly found a spot on the fringe and carved the outline of a featureless face on the ground, adding strange symbols around the perimeter.

Su Chen was currently disguised as a Faceless Ghost Priest, not a High Priest. As he began to chant a low prayer...

Soon, a hazy, indistinct sound whispered in his ear. Just like before, the voices of men and women, old and young, overlapped into one: "Ah, it is you, my humble believer."

’So the Faceless Ghost does remember me.’ Su Chen recalled that the first time he contacted it, its initial responses had been automated, almost like an AI.

It was only after he requested three portions of Divine Power that the Faceless Ghost’s true consciousness had descended.

"I had assumed you’d died at the hands of the Bronze Sect. To think you’re still alive... what a surprise." The Faceless Ghost’s voice was elusive and ethereal, unlike Black Tuo’s deep and steady tone.

"I cannot die until I have carried out your command," Su Chen replied, his head bowed.

"Is that so?" The Faceless Ghost’s pitch fluctuated. "And yet, other Believers have reported that Fan Zhao was discovered by the Bronze Sect. I fear those three portions of Divine Power you requested from me have gone down the drain."

The last time Su Chen had deceived the Faceless Ghost, he had claimed Fan Zhao was his inside man in the Bronze Sect.

’It seems the Faceless Ghost has been following the fallout from the Divine Son’s identity being suddenly exposed.’

But this was a good thing for Su Chen. He quickly said, "Please rest assured. Although Fan Zhao was discovered, forcing me to flee in disarray for a time, I managed to cultivate a new inside contact during the process. I have also learned some extremely critical information and hope to earn your forgiveness."

"Oh? Do tell," the Faceless Ghost’s voice sounded nonchalant.

"The only person with a Divine Dawn Level Talent in the Bronze Sect perished not long ago."

At this, the Faceless Ghost sounded somewhat disappointed. "Ah, my humble believer, you disappoint me greatly. I already knew of this. It was Black Tuo’s doing."

Su Chen, helpless, could only feign terror. "You are truly omniscient," he said quickly. "You even know that Black Tuo has fallen into silence."

"Hm? Black Tuo fell into silence?" Now the Faceless Ghost was genuinely surprised. "He acted personally?"

The Bronze Sect hadn’t covered up the matter, but they hadn’t offered an explanation either. This led to a chaotic mess of rumors. While everyone knew it was related to Black Tuo, stories varied wildly. Only a select few knew the actual details.

Su Chen nodded. "That’s right. Black Tuo acted personally, using his body of flesh and blood, but he was suddenly intercepted by the Bronze Ancient King. That’s why he fell into silence."

"Heh, interesting... That old fiend Black Tuo was actually willing to pay such a high price. He must be taking a serious hit this time."

The Faceless Ghost was quite pleased. "Good, my humble believer. You truly are full of surprises. If this is true, I permit you to prostrate yourself at my feet once more."

’Why is this guy so dramatic...’ Su Chen complained to himself. ’Black Tuo would never be so theatrical.’ But all he could do was put on a look of ecstasy.

The Faceless Ghost continued, "I am now giving you a new mission. Find out exactly why Black Tuo suddenly moved against that Qin Tianlin."

Acting personally was entirely different from simply using one’s means.

Hearing this, Su Chen immediately replied, "I was just about to report on this matter, but I must ask for your forgiveness first."

"Oh? For what?" the Faceless Ghost asked nonchalantly. These Believers possessed absolute loyalty. They wouldn’t hesitate even if it ordered them to kill themselves. There was no need to speak of forgiveness.

"In order to investigate why Black Tuo suddenly attacked Qin Tianlin, I promised something in your name. For this, I ask your forgiveness."

"You were already investigating this?" The Faceless Ghost sounded surprised. "What did you promise?"

"Divine Blood," Su Chen explained.

The Faceless Ghost wasn’t particularly surprised. Divine Blood was extremely useful and quite precious. It simply said, "Very few people should know the true reason for Black Tuo’s actions. My humble believer, you haven’t been deceived, have you?"

’This one is much more difficult to deal with than Black Tuo... It’ll be hard to get something for nothing.’

But Su Chen had already prepared for this. He adjusted his strategy and decided to release some information first. He responded cautiously, "From what I’ve learned, the reason Black Tuo suddenly acted against Qin Tianlin seems to be related to something called Fog Ashes."

"Fog Ashes?" The Faceless Ghost was taken aback for a moment, then it all clicked. "No wonder Black Tuo acted personally. Someone can actually purify the Fog Ashes entwined with the Bronze Flame... He expended so much effort to create that stuff, and he’s coveted the Bronze Flame for a very long time."

"And no wonder the Bronze Sect’s Flame Fire has suddenly taken a turn for the better."

Those two words gave the Faceless Ghost a sense of sudden clarity, connecting all the dots.

"My humble believer, I didn’t expect you to bring me so many surprises. You found out the reason before even paying the Divine Blood. How much Divine Blood did you promise?" the Faceless Ghost asked.

Su Chen hesitated for a moment before answering deliberately, "Five drops."

"Five drops?" The Faceless Ghost’s voice grew a little shrill. "Five drops just for those two words?"

’The asking price seems a bit high...’ Su Chen was prepared and quickly added, "I only promised two drops of Divine Blood for this information. The remaining three drops are for another matter."

"What other matter?" The Faceless Ghost was genuinely astonished. This believer, who had been out of contact for so long, was surprisingly capable.

"After Qin Tianlin died, the Five Great Sects discovered a wisp of purple flame inside his body. Within that flame was a conscious entity... something that Qin Yun seems to have brought back from the Lost Flame..."

"What?" The Faceless Ghost was shocked and suspicious. The surrounding gray-white mist began to churn faster. "A conscious Spirit Fragment brought out of the Lost Flame? Are you certain?"

Su Chen quickly explained, "My contact saw it with his own eyes. Furthermore, that conscious entity seems to have reached some sort of agreement with the Five Great Sects."

"But to get more information, my contact demands that I first fulfill my promise and provide an additional three drops of Divine Blood."

The Faceless Ghost was lost in thought. "No wonder the Five Great Sects marched on the Bronze Sect so aggressively, only to go silent in the end. It seems that Qin Yun truly did discover something in the Lost Flame."

"Are you sure your contact will tell you the whole story after receiving the Divine Blood?" The Faceless Ghost seemed to be naturally suspicious.

Su Chen’s voice was grave. "Please rest assured. I will do my utmost to ensure it. However, from my observations, this contact should be trustworthy.

"And who is this contact of yours?" the Faceless Ghost pressed.

’If this were Old Hei, he definitely wouldn’t ask so many questions...’ Su Chen thought, then explained, "Sheng Huaixu, the Star Seed of the True Martial Sect."

"To think you can reach him. It seems you’ve had some peculiar experiences of your own."

The Faceless Ghost considered this. It wasn’t this believer it distrusted, but rather the person he was in contact with. Given that person’s identity, it was plausible he would know such secrets.

And soon, drops of translucent liquid began to materialize within the gray-white mist swirling around Su Chen. Vague, shadowy faces drifted in and out of view within each drop.

"Do not disappoint me, my humble believer," the Faceless Ghost stressed. Even for it, five drops of Divine Blood was no small amount.

"Please rest assured," Su Chen replied quickly. Once the surrounding gray-white mist had dissipated, he swiftly erased the carvings on the ground.

Looking at the Divine Blood before him, he mulled it over. ’I wonder if these five drops will be enough to enter the Lost Flame.’

Su Chen had no desire to gamble for now. ’Five drops is still too few. It’s not a safe bet. I should try the Purifier first.’

If this wasn’t enough for the Purifier’s needs, at least he could get it back. But if it wasn’t enough for the Lost Flame, it would be burned away for good.